BLVRD Features’ William Holman Hunt (The Lady of Shalott) AR experience in an expanded mode - displaying a self-portrait by the artist, Hunt’s 1850s book illustration of the Lady of Shallot, and the introduction of Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s 1832’poem, upon which this and Hunt’s final 1888-1905 painting are based.
This week we released our tenth BLVRD Feature, with two more episodes coming out soon. This latest augmented reality experience marks our third collaboration with the fantastic team at the Wadsworth Atheneum, and its story is built around one of the Wadsworth’s most iconic works, a dazzling and exquisitely-detailed painting by the British Pre-Raphaelite artist William Holman Hunt.
In England, during the mid-late 19th century, as industrialization greatly altered the pace and tenor of society, many Victorians - whether longing for a simpler, more pious time, or just seeking escape from routine - were captivated by literature related to the middle ages, especially tales of King Arthur and his knights. Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s 1832 poem about unrequited love and the mysterious curse of a beautiful noblewoman confined to a tower near Camelot thrilled readers and provided a perfect subject for artists like Hunt, who sought to evoke an earlier, more spiritual time and relished the meticulous craft and detail associated with art made before the Renaissance period.
Our mini-episode not only transports users back to the Victorian era, but to the days of King Arthur and Camelot through Hunt’s imagination and storytelling. The Wadsworth’s painting of the Lady of Shalott is layered with multiple references to stories from the Bible, Greek mythology, and Camelot, as well as nods to the symbolism and brilliant illusionism of 15th-century Flemish painter Jan van Eyck. Download this BLVRD Features experience today, and start unraveling all of these exciting interwoven narratives - all in augmented reality, within your own space.